Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Annual Ubuntu Awards 2020, Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, 15 February 2020. It is always a privilege to attend these awards, which celebrate the men and women who play such a pivotal role in promoting the interests of our country beyond our shores.

President to address Ubuntu Awards Ceremony

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Saturday 15 February 2020, deliver the keynote address at the annual Ubuntu Awards which are hosted by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) hosts the annual Ubuntu Awards for 2020, Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa.

Photo: Yandisa Monakali / DIRCO

DIRCO to host the 2020 edition of the Ubuntu Awards

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is scheduled to host the 2020 edition of the annual Ubuntu Awards in Cape Town on Saturday, 15 February 2020.

Statement by Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the United Nations Security Council Briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine, Tuesday, 11 February 2020. South Africa welcomes the President of the State of Palestine, H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas, to the Security Council and thanks him for his impassioned statement as well as the statements of Secretary-General Guterres and his Special Coordinator for the Middle East, Mr Nicolay Mladenov.

Acceptance Statement by South African President H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa on assuming the Chair of the African Union for 2020, 33rd Session of the African Union Assembly, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 09 February 2020. I stand before you immensely humbled by this great honour that has been bestowed on South Africa. On behalf of the men and women of South Africa I graciously accept your collective decision that I should Chair the AU in 2020.

Acceptance Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the APR Forum of Heads of State and Government, 8 February 2020. It is both a privilege and an immense honour to address this distinguished gathering of Heads of States and Government; who out of commitment to realizing an Africa that is at peace with itself, stable and characterized by good governance, voluntarily joined the APRM.

Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini scheduled for a Back-to-School outreach in Mpumalanga

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, will on Friday, 07 February 2020, embark on a “back-to-school” outreach at Manzini Combined School in Mpumalanga. The event will be held under the theme: “Supporting the change that education brings into the lives of children”.

President conveys condolences at passing of President Moi. President Cyril Ramaphosa has on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa expressed his sadness at the passing of former Kenyan President His Excellency Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi.

Keynote Address by Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, at the Book Launch of the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), Pretoria, 03 February 2020. Let me start by thanking the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) for this kind invitation to address the launch of its Geopolitics book, ‘Africa and the World: Navigating Shifting Geopolitics’.

Minister Pandor to deliver a keynote address at the launch of the Mapungubwe Institute’s Publication: Africa and the World: Navigating Shifting Geopolitics

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor will, this evening, Monday, 03 February 2020, deliver a keynote address at the launch of the Mapungubwe Institute’s (MISTRA) Publication, called Africa and the World: Navigating Shifting Geopolitics.

Joint Communiqué of the Inaugural Meeting of the South Africa – The Netherlands Joint Commission for Cooperation, 3 February 2020. South Africa and the Netherlands signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Joint Commission for Cooperation on 19 November 2015, which provides for regular meetings chaired by the Ministers or Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries in order to facilitate consultation and cooperation in various fields.

Minister Pandor to host her Netherlands counterpart for a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC)

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor will on Monday, 03 February 2020 host the Foreign Minister of Netherlands, Mr Stef Blok for the inaugural meeting of South Africa – Netherlands Joint Commission for Cooperation.

Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini scheduled for a Back-to-School outreach in Limpopo

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, will on Monday, 03 February 2020, embark on a “back-to-school” outreach in Mookgopong, Limpopo, Province.

Statement by the Minister of Health Statement on the Coronavirus. The South African government wishes to assure all citizens that we are continuously monitoring all developments regarding the corona virus outbreak, not only in the country but worldwide. Information is being provided by the various stakeholders including other multilateral organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 31 January 2020. Statement on the Special Cabinet Meeting held at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, Pretoria on Friday, 31 January 2020.

South Africa’s Statement on the United States Proposed Middle-East Peace Plan. The Government of the Republic of South Africa notes the announcement of a peace plan by the United States aimed at resolving the longstanding Israeli – Palestinian conflict.

Remarks by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, at the Lunch of the African Heads of Diplomatic Mission on 29 January 2020 at the Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria. It is a great honour that I speak here today on behalf of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor. As you are familiar with the diplomatic business of government, one has to be in different locations at any given time.

Closing Remarks by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Mashego-Dlamini, at the DIRCO-Hosted Africa Heads of Mission Conference, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria, 28 January 2020. Thank you very much for this rewarding exercise that opened up a useful platform for the sharing of strategic ideas as South Africa prepares to take up a challenging but deserved role as the Chair of the African Union in this coming term.

Welcome Remarks by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Dr Naledi Pandor, at the DIRCO-Hosted Africa Heads of Mission Conference, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria, 28 January 2020. Thank you for joining us for this preparatory session on the historic leadership role our nation is about to embark on as the next chair of the African Union.

President Ramaphosa to address the South African Heads of Missions Conference in Pretoria

Members of the media are invited to the opening session of the "South African Heads of Missions accredited to African countries" Conference to be held on Tuesday, 28 January 2020, at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in Pretoria.

Deputy Minster Botes embarks on a Back-to-School campaign

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, is embarking on a “back to school” campaign aimed at encouraging learners to focus on their education, which has been identified as one government’s key priorities.

Deadline for Ubuntu Awards 2020 nominations. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is scheduled to host the 2020 edition of the annual Ubuntu Awards in Cape Town on Saturday, 15 February 2020, under the theme: “Celebrating Excellence in Diplomacy – Working Together to Build a Better Africa and a Better World”.

Joint Communiqué of the 10th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission between the Republic of India and the Republic of South Africa, New Delhi, 17 January 2020. His Excellency, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Honourable Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India (EAM) and Her Excellency Dr. Naledi Pandor, the Honourable Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa (SAFM), co-chaired the 10th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission on 17 January 2020 in New Delhi.

President Ramaphosa will not attend Davos and London events. The Presidency can confirm that President Cyril Ramaphosa will not attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, from 21 to 24 January 2020, and the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London on Monday 20 January 2020.

Ministerial Address by Minister Naledi Pandor at the Fifth Raisina Dialogue Conference, New Delhi, India 16 January 2020.

Photo: Yandisa Monakali / DIRCO

Address at Raisina Dialogue, India by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, 16 January 2020: ‘Education as a foundation for democracies, development and Multilateralism'. I wish to thank the foundation for inviting me to speak at and attend the Raisina Dialogues, a critical forum for the exchange of ideas and reflection on innovative solutions to the complex challenges that all leaders are required to respond to.

Minister Pandor to attend the Fifth Raisina Dialogue Conference and co-chair South Africa – India Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in India, 14-17 January 2020. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will participate in the Fifth Raisina Dialogue Conference, as well as co-chair the South Africa - India Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) with her counterpart, the Indian Minister of External Affairs, Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi in India.

Joint Communiqué on the occasion of an Official Visit of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia to South Africa. At the invitation of President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, paid an Official Visit to the Republic of South Africa from 11 to 12 January 2020, which is the first state level exchange of visits between the two countries.

President Ramaphosa to host Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on an Official Visit

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Sunday, 12 January 2020, host the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, His Excellency Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali, on an Official Visit at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.

President calls for peaceful resolution of US-Iran tension. President Cyril Ramaphosa has held discussions with President Hassan Rouhani of the Islamic Republic of Iran to express South Africa’s interest in a peaceful and just resolution of the tension between Iran and the United States.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Open Debate on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Upholding the Charter of the United Nations, 09 January 2020. As this is the first open debate for the year 2020, South Africa would like to use this opportunity of welcoming the new elected members, Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia and Vietnam to the Council.

South Africa conveys its sincere condolences to the Government and People of Ukraine following the tragic aircraft crash near Tehran. The South African Government and the People of South Africa express great sadness and convey their sincere condolences to the Government of Ukraine in the wake of the fatal aircraft crash which claimed the lives of 176 passengers, of various nationalities, and crew near the Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran on Wednesday, 8 January 2020, shortly after take-off.

Statement by Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on UNOWAS, 8 January 2020. I thank SRSG Chambas for his briefing and would like to use this opportunity to commend the efforts of the SRSG and his team in efficiently discharging their mandate amidst an increasingly challenging environment.

South Africa calls for calm in Iraq. The South African Government is alarmed by the escalating tension in Iraq, which has far reaching ramifications not only for the Middle East region, but also for international peace and security.

Deputy Minister Botes to host Bilateral Consultations with his Italian counterpart

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, will co- chair the inaugural meeting of the South Africa-Italy Bilateral Consultations with his counterpart, Ms Emanuela Del Re, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in Pretoria on Friday, 13 December 2019.

Deputy Minister Botes to host bilateral consultations with his Italian counterpart. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, will co-chair the inaugural meeting of the South Africa-Italy Bilateral Consultations with his counterpart, Ms Emanuela Del Re, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in Pretoria on Friday, 13 December 2019.